ARTAMUS SORDIDUS. 
Wood-Swallow. 
Turdus sordidus, Lath, Ind. Orn. Supp. p. xliii. 
Sordid Thrush, Lath. Gen, Syn. Supp. vol. ii. p. 186.—Shaw, Gen. Zool, vol. x. p. 238.—Lath. Gen. Hist. vol. v. 
p- 131, 
Ocypterus albovittatus, Cuv. Regn, Anim. tom. iy. pl. 3. f. 6.—Valenc. Mém. du Mus. d’Hist. Nat. tom. vi. p. 23, 
pl. 8. f. 2.—Gould, Syn. Birds of Australia, part i. fig. 3. 
Artamus lineatus, Vieill. 2nde édit. du Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat. tom. xvii. p. 297.—Id. Ency. Méth. part. ii. 
p. 758. 
Artamus albovittatus, Vig. & Horsf. in Linn. Trans, vol. xv. p, 210. 
Leptopteryx albovittata, Wag). Syst. Ay. sp, 5. 
Be-wo-wen, Aborigines of the lowland and mountain districts of Western Australia. 
Worle, Aborigines of King George’s Sound. 
Wood-Swallow of the Colonists. 
Tue Wood-Swallow has been long known to ornithologists, but, unfortunately, under so many geueric aud 
specific appellations, that it may be cited as an instance of the manner in which our science has been 
burthened with useless names, thereby producing an inextricable confusion, and which in this instance, by 
a reference to Latham’s accurate description, and the slightest care on the part of other writers, might have 
been avoided. 
No other species of the Australian drtami with which I am acquainted possesses so wide a range from 
east to west as the present—the whole of the southern portion of the continent, as well as the island of 
Van Diemen’s Laud, being alike favoured with its presence. ‘The extent of its range northward has not 
yet been satisfactorily ascertained, beyond the certainty that it has not hitherto been received in any collection 
from the north coast. 
It may be regarded as strictly migratory in Van Diemen’s Land, where it arrives in October, the beginning 
of the Australian summer, and, after rearing at least two broods, departs again northwards in November, 
On the continent a scattered few remain throughout the year in all the localities favourable to its liabits, 
the number bemg regulated by the supply of insect food necessary for their subsistence, I may here 
observe that specimens from Swan River, South Australia, and New South Wales present no difference 
either in size or colouring, while those from Van Diemen’s Land are invariably larger in all their ad- 
measurements, and are also of a deeper colour; [ regard them, however, as mere varieties of each other, 
the greater size of the latter being doubtless caused by the superabundance of food which this more southern 
aud humid climate affords. 
This Wood-Swallow, besides being the commonest species of the genus, must, I think, be rendered a 
general favourite with the Australians, not only from its singular and pleasing actions, but by its often taking 
up its abode and incubating near the houses, particularly such as are surrounded by paddocks and open 
pasture-lands skirted by large trees. It was in such situations as these in Van Diemen's Land, at the com- 
mencement of spring, that I first had an opportunity of observing this species. It was then very numerous 
on all the cleared estates on the north side of the Derwent, about eight or ten being seen on a single tree, 
and half as many crowding one against another on the same dead branch, but never in such numbers as to 
deserve the appellation of flocks. Hach bird appeared to act independently of the other, each, as the desire 
for food prompted it, sallying forth from the brauch to capture a passing insect, or to soar round the tree 
and return again to the same spot. On alighting it repeatedly throws up and closes one wing at a time, and 
spreads the tail obliquely prior to settling, At other times afew were seen perched on the fence surrounding 
the paddock, on which they frequently descended, like Starlings, in search of coleoptera and other insects. 
It is not, howeyer, m this state of comparative quiescence that this graceful bird is seen to the greatest 
advantage ; neither is it that kind of existence for which its form is especially adapted; for although its 
structure is more equally suited for terrestrial, arboreal, and aerial habits than that of any other species I 
have examined, the form of its wing at once points out the air as its peculiar province. Hence it is that 
when engaged m pursuit of the insects which the serene and warm weather has enticed from their iurking- 
